Methods and system are described for multi-modal, multi-parametric, non-invasive, and real-time assessment of cervical tissue through a multi-modal probe device for use within a vaginal canal and an associated imaging system to assess a risk of preterm delivery of an expectant mother. The multi-modal system may include ultrasound (US) imaging, viscoelastic (VE) imaging, and/or photoacoustic (PA) imaging of the cervical issue to determine cervical biomarker information indicative of parameters including, but not limited to, a collagen to water ratio such that a more water dominant ratio is indicative of a risk of preterm delivery.

The present invention provides an improved light system for labor detection by monitoring the status of a cervix, including dilation, during pregnancy and for monitoring vaginal pH at the cervix to detect the leakage of amniotic fluid, including a MEMS receiver programmed to receive and process MEMS cervical data into cervical status data for transmission to a remote network monitor a first cervical MEMS device positioned at a first cervix location and a second cervical MEMS device positioned at a second cervix location providing MEMS cervical data for transmission to the short range wireless receiver for detecting labor.

A device for measuring the elastic deformability of soft tissue has a probe head having the form of a cup with a cavity, side walls and a bottom wall, a first probe channel, a pressure unit and a control unit, the first probe channel being configured to connect the pressure unit, that provides a vacuum inside first probe channel and that is controlled by the control unit with the probe head. The first probe channel has a distal end leading through the bottom wall into the cavity. The device further has a second probe channel having a distal end leading through the bottom wall into the cavity and being connected with a pressure sensor provided to determine the pressure in the cavity and to communicate it to the control unit to determine a point in time, when deformed tissue closes the distal end of the first probe channel based on a pressure difference in the two probe channels.

The present invention may be embodied as a retrievable device capable of sensing one or more properties of an individual (e.g., chemical or physical parameters). In use, the retrievable device can continuously determine the chemical concentrations within the vaginal tract. An embodiment of the retrievable device comprises a first housing having a light source and an image capture device, a second housing removably connected to the first housing and having a sensor, and a fitting for retrieving the device. The sensor may be an analyte sensor configured to obtain at least one measurement of a concentration of an analyte in a fluid. The analyte sensor comprises a sensor substance in a sol-gel material so the sensor substance reversibly interacts with an analyte of interest. In addition, the retrievable device can be configured to determine different physical parameters and re-implanted.

Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for treating and/or monitoring a patient with a prematurely dilated cervix during pregnancy or a patient with a history of a prematurely dilated cervix in a previous pregnancy. The systems, devices, and methods described herein further provide monitoring of the status of a cervix by, for example, sensing a change associated with the cervix of a patient. The systems, devices, and methods described herein are configured to either partially or completely encircle the cervix of a patient and constrict the encircled cervix. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein comprise a first and a second coupler that reversibly couple together so that these embodiments are configured to be manually placed (i.e. the couplers are coupled together) and then either removed or adjusted by a healthcare provider (i.e. the couplers are decoupled from each other).

A cervix probe is equipped with a tactile sensor array and an ultrasound transducer and configured for simultaneous acquisition of stress data and ultrasound strain data for the same sector of the cervix. Acquired and recorded stress and strain data are transmitted to a data processor for calculating cervix elasticity and cervix length, followed by calculating a probability of spontaneous preterm delivery using a clinically validated predictive model.

The present disclosure describes a fast-scanning optical-resolution photoacoustic (fsOR-PAE) endoscope for imaging vasculature within tissues in vivo that includes an ultrasonic transducer and a scanning mirror within a lumen of an elongate casing. The scanning mirror is configured to direct the laser pulses from the pulsed laser source to a focal spot outside the casing in a scanning pattern via an imaging window formed in the casing. The scanning mirror is further configured to direct a plurality of photoacoustic signals from the focal spot to the ultrasonic transducer via the imaging window.

A vaginal dilation device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the vaginal dilation device is that it is configured to dilate vaginal tissue during labor to prevent tissue damage. Another feature of the vaginal dilation device is that it can be manually controlled to dilate vaginal tissue, or can be automatically controlled to dilate vaginal tissue. In some embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to measure a force applied by the device to tissue. In other embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to apply a constant force to tissue. In other embodiments, the vaginal dilation device is configured to expand at a constant rate. Methods associated with use of the vaginal dilation device are also provided.

Internal cervical exams during labor pose multiple challenges, including infection risk, subjectivity, invasiveness, and discomfort. A monitoring system described herein enables non-invasive and accurate measurement of cervical dilation and assessment of the baby's station. By inserting a narrow linear ultrasound probe through the working channel, high-resolution ultrasound images of the cervix can be obtained, eliminating the need for painful and subjective exams, reducing infection risk, and enhancing patient comfort. Moreover, the ultrasound capability allows for potential monitoring of maternal and fetal blood oxygenation levels, providing a comprehensive picture of fetal well-being.

A device for retarding birth including an upper ring for surrounding a cervix, an anchoring component for anchoring the device, and an elastic component for attaching the upper ring to the anchoring component, wherein the elastic component pushes the upper ring and the anchoring component apart. A device for retarding birth including a sleeve for surrounding a cervix along a greater portion of a length of the cervix, a support strip on the sleeve directed along an axis of the sleeve, and a ring at least partially around the sleeve, in which when a top of the sleeve is pushed to expand radially, the support strip pivots on the ring, such that an end of the support strip near the top of the sleeve moves radially outward, and an end of the support strip near the bottom of the sleeve moves radially inward. Related apparatus and methods are also described.